DOWNTON ABBEY Season Four to Premiere on PBS January 5, 2014

PBS has announced the US premiere date for the upcoming fourth season of everyone’s favorite early 20th century soap, Downton Abbey. The drama series will return on January 5, 2014 and will run through February 23rd on PBS. Those hoping the new season would air alongside the UK run in order to avoid spoilers will be disappointed, as season four will again air overseas months before its US premiere. Following last year’s abrupt exit of actor Dan Stevens, the fourth season will be chock full of new cast members like Tom Cullen, Nigel Harman, and Dame Harriet Walter. Season four will also see the return of Shirley MacLaine as Cora’s mother.